09.12.08
Posted in Columns at 9:56 am by Marcus
Today, my column is not about politics or political parties, today I wanted to have a brief conversation about the world in which we live.
On Wednesday, September 17, our nation will celebrate one of the world’s most important and most significant achievements. On September 17, 1787, thirty-nine men signed a document that forever changed the world in which we live. These men signed the Constitution of the United States of America. This document created a world in which freedom is the ultimate and achievable desire of every man.
When fifty-five men gathered in a Philadelphia meeting hall, they created a system of government for a new nation. For the first time, the world saw the creation of a government that existed to empower people instead of aristocracy and royalty. These men met to heal a war-torn nation, to heal the deep scars from a bloody, eight-year war for independence. These men had fought for freedom, and now they met to create a system of government inspired by the freedom for which they had fought so hard.
Just eleven years before ratifying the Constitution, many of the same men met in the same place to sign the Declaration of Independence. The fifty-six signers of Declaration of Independence pledged their life, fortune and honor to a cause greater than themselves. They understood the value of the virtue freedom and were willing to give the greatest of sacrifices to the greatest of causes. These men took a stand for freedom and don’t want their sacrifice to fade in our minds. This week, as we stand in the shadow of the anniversary of one of humanity’s greatest achievements, I wanted to take a few moments to reflect on the great sacrifice of those who have given us our freedom.
Of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence, fourteen died without ever seeing the freedom for which they so boldly fought. Nine of the fourteen were captured by the British and tortured until their death. Two men had their son’s die during the war, two other men had their sons captured by the British. Eight of the men fled their homes, their homes were looted and burned and they lost everything. One signer sold all of his possessions to finance the war and died in rags. Another saw his wife captured and killed by the enemy. Three men were driven to live in hiding and never again saw their families – they died of exhaustion after the war. They all sacrificed. Some gave the greatest sacrifice. The dedication and commitment of these men allow us to live in freedom today.
Over the past 233 years, forty million brave men and women have served the cause freedom around the world. Over two million have given greatest sacrifice to protect our freedom. Today, the greatest export of our nation is not our technology, factories or automobiles – it is our ideas about freedom. From the 1700’s to today, freedom is still only as strong as those who are willing to fight for it. I thank those fighters for preserving my right to pen these words. This week, I want to honor the sacrifice of all veterans. I want to thank our brave men and women for their continuing dedication to furthering the cause of freedom around the world. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Permalink
09.11.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:51 pm by Marcus
Welcome to the newly launched Mb.com!
Permalink
09.01.08
Posted in Columns, Election08 at 9:52 am by Marcus
If you had surgery tomorrow, would you hire a surgeon who hoped to get it right? Would you hire your surgeon just because they stayed at Holiday Inn Express last night? No, of course you wouldn’t. The comparison between John McCain and Barack Obama brings out one stark difference: Experience.
I don’t often find myself in agreement with Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton, but these senators were right when they said that Barack Obama shows no readiness to lead. Barack Obama has the experience of 140 working days in the United States Senate while John McCain has the experience of over 50 years of selfless service to the United States. John McCain understands the value of service to a cause greater than self, while Barack Obama has spent his entire term in the senate running for President or signing books. John McCain risked his political career to support a new strategy in Iraq – Barack Obama snubbed injured veterans at Landstuhl Hospital because he needed to give an international political speech. John McCain decisively criticized Russian leaders who invaded a sovereign democracy – Barack Obama took three days and 300 advisors to make his decision. The comparison between these two candidates provides only one option for Americans who want low taxes, strong leadership and a secure America.
Just a week or so ago, John McCain choose his running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Palin is an experienced executive and devoted mother. As the current governor of Alaska, the Republican Party has marketed her as executive experience than Barack Obama and Joe Biden combined. This line of political marketing is true: Obama is a former community organizer and Biden has been a senator since 1973.
The original maverick has chosen another true reformer to accompany him in his quest to change the city that has changed so many politicians. This past week, John McCain put the traditional Washington crowd on notice – a change is coming. Sarah Palin stood up the Oil Companies and fought against corruption in her own party. She blew the whistle on corruption in her own party, resulting in a $12,000 for the chairman of the Alaska Republican Party. In the 2006 primary, she took on the sitting Republican Governor and won. This lady has a history of going against insurmountable odds and winning every fight. Just like John McCain, she is a straight talker and a true maverick. The men and women of this country would be right by themselves to make Sarah our next Vice-President.
The McCain-Palin ticket represents the experience of military and executive leadership. John McCain is well known as a maverick – a man that you might not always agree with, but one who will never just tell you what you want to hear. He is experienced, honest and ready to lead. I am voting for John McCain because I don’t want to choose a President by who has just stayed a Holiday Inn Express last night.
Permalink
08.25.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:48 am by Marcus
I want to discuss what happened a few weeks ago the Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency. The Saddleback Forum, hosted by Pastor Rick Warren, provided voters their first opportunity to hear Barack Obama and John McCain candidly answer the same questions. After the debate a lot of television pundits declared John McCain the winner, saying that his decisive and straightforward style won him the night.
I support John McCain and his straightforward speaking style certainly appeals to me, but I still think the pundits were missing something in their analysis of this forum. One question defined the debate for me, one question distinguishes the true difference between the character of Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain. Pastor Warren asked this question: “At what point is a baby entitled to human rights?”
Barack Obama said: “…answering that question with specificity, you know, is above my pay grade.” John McCain said: “At the moment of conception.” Here’s my problem, I know Barack Obama supports abortion – I just want him to be honest about his beliefs. He has voted against a full ban on partial-birth abortion, and is endorsed by the National Abortion Rights Action League because of his continued support for legalized, on-demand abortion.
Let’s be honest, Mr. Obama does not believe that a person has human rights until that person is out of the womb. This past week, Nancy Pelosi tried to back up Mr. Obama’s cop-out by saying: “as an ardent, practicing Catholic…what I know is, over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition.”
Our generation, you and me, we are the most powerful pro-life voices this nation has ever seen. One-quarter of our potential classmates and friends are not here because they never had a chance. We are a generation of survivors – we are the generation that is fighting for human rights not just in across the ocean, but here at home. Please join me – I am asking all of our leaders to be honest with us and with themselves. When does life begin, what do you really believe?
This week I want to leave you with a few very profound words from Cardinal Egan, a catholic leader in New York: “We are blessed in the 21st century with crystal-clear photographs and action films of the living realities within their pregnant mothers. No one with the slightest measure of integrity or honor could fail to know what these marvelous beings manifestly, clearly, and obviously are, as they smile and wave into the world outside the womb. In simplest terms, they are human beings with an inalienable right to live, a right that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is bound to defend at all costs for the most basic of ethical reasons. They are not parts of their mothers, and what they are depends not at all upon the opinions of theologians of any faith. Anyone who dares to defend that they may be legitimately killed because another human being “chooses” to do so or for any other equally ridiculous reason should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name.”
Well said sir, well said.
Permalink
